University of Chicago Medicine is asking the state for permission to reopen 38 inpatient beds that were shut down earlier this year when its new hospital opened, a move the Hyde Park medical center hopes will alleviate crowding in its emergency room.

For Linda Dao, vice president of corporate relations at the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, the challenge will be recruiting members from industries that haven't seen a big reason to join the 108-year-old business group before now.